One of the most popular topics for survival enthusiasts is the need for food. As we have discussed previously in our Survival Basics DVD, food is the last thing on the NEEDS list, but is quite frankly at the top of most folks WANTS list. Due to this and the mental secuity that is provided by having easy access to food. Dan’s Depot, has an incredible offering of food here on our website. Beyond what we offer, we recommend that you study the value in harvesting and eating edible plants that are found most everywhere.
The caloric expenditure to harvest and digesting plant material vs. that of harvesting and digesting meat protein is incredibly different. Almost to the point, particularly in a survival situation, that obtaining meat sources is almost negligible in benefit.
So with that in mind one must begin to study edible plants. To do so is an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding experience. You must obtain or have access to a minimum of three resources that detail edible plants. We typically recommend that you find resouces that have detailed drawings rather than photographs. Artists of this sort tend to have a better ability to depict the important aspects of various plants, better than photographs. We also recommend that you too make your best effort to draw plants as you study them. You do NOT have to be an artist to do this, do your best. It will help you get to know the many and varied part of the various plants.
Beyond your study of edible plants, you may very well have the need to determine if a plant is edible, without knowing the names and particular characteristics of it. To do this is a simple three step procedure.
- The first step is to take a small portion of the unknown plant and rub it on the inside of your forearm close to your wrist. Wait 15-30 minutes to see if you have an adverse skin reaction to the unknown plant. If not move on to step 2.
- Step 2, is to take a small portion of the plant and place it under your tongue. Wait 15-30 minutes to see if you have an adverse reactions. You will know by any swelling, burning, itching or other sensation that seems abnormal. If none of these occur, then it is possible to ingest a small portion of the plant. Which is step 3.
- Step 3 is a 24 hour waiting period after you have introduced the plant to your digestive system. You need to allow these 24 hours so that it can fully go through your digestive tract. If there are no adverse reactions such as stomach pain, vomiting, or diarrhea you can then ingest more of the plant material. Please note that should be done in moderation however.
So those are the three basic steps to determining whether you can handle a particular plant in any given situation. Beyond that you must follow through with continued study of edible (and medicinal plants). As we have stated earlier, it is an incredibly enjoyable and rewarding experience to harvest, forage, and otherwise gather plants to provide proper sustenance, no survival situation needed. We are preparing several videos on the subject, so you can look forward to those in the near future. Until then. We hope to see you on, or off, the trail.
